JESSTERLSX

Hey gang. I'm a little new to the Vette world. I tried searching this topic but I found a bunch of threads about racing and hard driving. My issue is with daily driving, especially in stop and go traffic. Car usually runs between 200 and 220. But if I get into stop lights or traffic I start seeing upwards of 230+! I don't like that, my Fbodies never ran that hot, even in traffic they would stay at 200. Is this normal for these cars or am I looking at an issue? I would expect this under hard driving at a track but not just driving through town. Car isn't a track car, I do like to have fun here and there through the twisties but nothing crazy. Some decent pulls here and there. But usually the car stays cool during those times. Both fans are working. Car just has LTs, high flows, and full exhaust.

3sACROWD

C5s run hotter than typical compared to other cars. Low speed fans activate at 226° and high speed fans activate at 235°. The fans shut off at 219°.

3sACROWD

A couple of other things...

Turning the AC on will command the fans to high speed.

These cars draw the cooling air from below. Make sure your radiator is free of debris. There are write-ups explaining methods to clean the fins.

99blkfrc99

Normal. Get a 160 stat and fans on around 180. I never see anything over 190 in traffic when it 90 degrees out.

Not4spd

This is the first thing I would do when buying any Vette. They are notorious for collecting leaves and other debris. My Z was having issues with getting hot after purchasing. Living in Texas it's not uncommon to see triple digit temperatures outside on a daily basis. I was surprised how much "junk" had collected on the fins. After a good thorough cleaning and it was good as new.

Acid666

Clean out the radiator. If you can completely remove it and hose it out from the front and back you'll get a ton of crap out of it. If you can't do that, then remove the shrouds and hose it from the front, and tap it with a rubber mallet. You'll be shocked at how many rocks and trash trickle their way out of it. I tap*tap*tapped mine for nearly 10 minutes until I got all of the trash out of mine.


Cools a lot better now. If you feel like the temps are too hot and you're sitting in traffic just run the AC to force the electric fans to come on. I do this between my runs every time I autocross to keep the car cool while I'm in the grid.

JESSTERLSX

Thanks for the info gang, Wow I didnt know the fan settings were that high! I'll try to clean it out. Now I will say this happens when I have the A/C on full blast so the fans are always on. When I turn the A/C off it will cool down if its already up to the 230ish mark.

Acid666

In that case, definitely clean your radiator. Mine was doing something similar to yours, but when I completely cleaned it out I got 220 and lower temps with the AC off, and 190 temps with the AC on.

01vetteZ!

exactly right!!

stingray76l82

I had same problem . Car is 15 yrs young. Did all that was recommended, clean radiator, 160 thermostat, had time to fans come on earlier. I finally removed and replaced radiator and burp it and fresh fluid . Hope that helps. MAGA.